Try Me (One Night with Sole Regret, #1) Summary & Key Insights

Olivia Cunning's "Try Me," the first book in the "One Night with Sole Regret" series, centers around the impulsive and emotionally guarded Regan and the charmingly mysterious Cole. The story unfolds in the backdrop of a high-stakes, competitive world of professional poker. Regan, a fiercely independent poker player known for her sharp intellect and calculated moves at the table, struggles with vulnerability and past trauma stemming from a fractured relationship with her family. She meticulously controls every aspect of her life, fearing emotional intimacy.

Cole, a successful and equally skilled poker player, initially presents himself as confident and carefree. However, beneath his playful exterior lies a depth of emotion and a carefully constructed persona designed to shield himself from the world. Their paths collide during a high-stakes poker tournament, leading to an intense, albeit fleeting, connection. The initial interaction is purely physical—a night of uninhibited passion fueled by mutual attraction and a shared understanding of the thrill of taking risks.

The "try" in the title refers to their impulsive decision to engage in a one-night stand, with both characters explicitly agreeing to no emotional attachments. However, the boundaries they set are quickly tested. The initial agreement proves to be more difficult to uphold than anticipated, as an undeniable spark ignites between them. This shared attraction evolves beyond simple physical chemistry, revealing underlying vulnerabilities and anxieties in both Regan and Cole. Their subsequent interactions are marked by a delicate dance of desire and restraint, as they try to reconcile their impulsive actions with their self-imposed emotional barriers.

Throughout the novel, Regan grapples with her ingrained fear of intimacy and the emotional scars from her past. Cole, similarly, is forced to confront his own emotional baggage and the carefully crafted image he presents to the world. The novel explores the complexities of human connection, highlighting the challenges of letting go of past hurts and embracing vulnerability. It questions the nature of commitment and the blurry lines between casual encounters and genuine emotional connections.

The overarching theme is the exploration of emotional intimacy and the courage it takes to overcome past trauma. Both Regan and Cole learn to confront their pasts and the reasons behind their emotional guardedness. The narrative unfolds through a combination of intense emotional scenes and thrilling poker matches, perfectly blending romance with the suspenseful world of high-stakes gambling. The story leaves the reader on a cliffhanger, hinting at the potential for a deeper, more meaningful relationship despite their initial agreement to keep things casual, setting the stage for the following books in the series.